The message from the Cardiff Blues man comes as he expresses his disappointment for the first time at being overlooked for the job for the August warm-up matches.

Wales coach Steve Hansen has gone with a four skippers policy this year but is expected to name just one skipper for next month's tournament... and Cardiff Blues skipper Williams says he desperately wants the job.

He has also spoken out over the recent pressure on Hansen, saying it would have been a disaster if the Kiwi had been sacked.

Prior to Wales' August warm-up matches, Williams had been the clear favourite to take the helm at the World Cup, having led the side in the previous three Tests.

But he wasn't handed the captaincy for any of the four friendlies, with Gareth Thomas (v Ireland), Stephen Jones (England), Mefin Davies (Romania) and Colin Charvis (Scotland) doing the job.

It was the appointment of fly-half Jones to lead a full-strength Welsh side - which included Williams - against England which caused the biggest surprise.

"I was a bit disappointed not to be captain for that game," admitted Williams. "The coach explained why he wanted to give Stephen a go and I understood his reasons.

"I thought Stephen did a great job that week, so there was no bitterness, but it would have been nice to do one game at home. I've done one at Murrayfield, one in Paris and two Down Under, but I haven't led us out in a Test in Cardiff yet."

Williams is hoping he will get the call to lead the side in Australia, starting with the opening group game against Canada in Melbourne on October 12.

"It would mean so much to captain Wales at the World Cup," he said.

"It's the biggest tournament there is and to lead your country in it would be a massive honour.

"I would love to be captain for that first game against Canada.

"That is obviously Steve's decision and he hasn't given any indication of what he's going to do yet.

"But I think he will name just one captain for the tournament and I am hopeful.

"It's a job I would love to do and if the chance comes I would jump at it.

"A year ago, I would have been a bit worried about taking it on and not 100 per cent confident.

"But I've done it a few times and really enjoyed the experience."

On the subject of Hansen, Williams says there is great relief within the squad that the Kiwi has kept his job.

The coach was in danger of being sacked after the record home defeat to England, but victories over Romania and Scotland ensured he would take the team to Australia.

"I think it would have been disastrous to change the coach," said Williams.

"We've put in so much effort and so much work since going to South Africa last year, aiming at the World Cup, which has always been the goal.

"We did feel for Steve after the England game.

"The players held their hands up and admitted they didn't perform, but it's always the way that the coach gets it if the side plays poorly.

"We've got two wins under our belt and can go out to the World Cup with a lot more belief."

Williams, who was 28 on Monday, had his Cardiff Blues hat on yesterday as he attended the launch of the newly expanded Celtic League.

He will miss the first couple of months of the event due to international commitments but he is convinced it will be a major boost for Welsh rugby.

"We have been asking for tough competition week-in, week-out for years and now we've got it," he said.

"There are not going to be any easy games any more. You are going to have nine months of intense rugby.

"There's great expectations with the Celtic League kicking off this weekend.

"It's unfortunate that the Wales players are going to miss the start, but it gives a lot of younger players a chance to show how good they are."